Two semi-free ranging groups of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) were observed over a nine month period on Morgan Island, South Carolina. The purpose of this study was to determine if the presence of males, rather than overall increased activity during the breeding and birthing seasons, resulted in higher rates of female-female aggression. This study was a test of the Hera Hypothesis: a model developed by the author in 1991 that predicted the existence of female intra-sexual competition. Repeated measures of affiliative behaviors and physical and non-physical aggression between subject and target monkeys were recorded and associated with the presence or absence of a male. Aggressive behavior was hypothesized to be a measure of female competition over mates, an arena mainly considered to be the domain of males alone. This study demonstrates that female rhesus monkeys do not aggress against each other more intensely when in the presence of a potential mate. In light of this I can only conclude that female rhesus monkeys do not use aggression as a means of competition over access to mates.

Type I and II osteoporosis will become an increasingly common problem in years to come, since the population structure is changing with the graying of America. This study identifies anthropometric and reproductive variables known to affect bone mineral in a mixed cross-sectional and longitudinal retrospective study. Data were collected from 3120 women and 1222 men throughout Arizona by single photon absorptiometry of the distal third of the radius by Lunar software for bone width, bone mineral content and bone mineral density and anthropometric, reproductive, nutritional and fracture histories. With age-stratified and age-adjusted statistical analyses, important relationships are found to exist between these variables. In females, the anthropometric variables--age, height and weight--are highly correlated with distal third radial width, bone mineral content and density. In males, weight is correlated with distal third radial width; age and weight with bone mineral content; and age, height and weight with bone mineral density. Reproductive variables--age, age at menarche and menopause and total reproductive span--are predictors for women who undergo surgical oophorectomy and hysterectomy, but not those who undergo natural menopause or either surgery. Variables related to pregnancy--age, height, weight, pregnancy duration and span--are predictors of distal third radial width. Only age, height and weight are predictors of bone mineral content. Age, height, weight, age at last pregnancy and one derived ratio are predictors of bone mineral density. When variables related to breastfeeding are incorporated, pregnancy duration and derived ratios are identified for predictors of distal third radial width. Only one ratio is related to bone mineral content, whereas pregnancy number, pregnancy and breastfeeding duration and derived ratios are useful predictors of bone mineral density. These findings suggest that pregnancy and breastfeeding leave lasting effects on bone mineral. While techniques exist to measure bone mineral in various locations, the distal third of the radius is more trabecular than some sites (e.g., the femoral head and vertebral centra). With such changes documented in the radius, more extreme effects are expected at more trabecular locations. Thus, a life's reproductive history is etched in bone.

Estimation of antemortem body weight is difficult to ascertain from skeletal material. In this analysis, I examine 49 right tali. T-tests run on right and left tali from the same sample show no significant differences between the two sides. Incorporation of data from various individuals, including both males and females, allows for the statistical assessment obtained through Pearson's correlation coefficient between estimated antemortem body weight and 21 measurements conducted on the surface of the talus. All correlations ranged from R = -.1706 to +.4811, suggesting no strong relationship between estimated antemortem body weight and variables utilized in this analysis. A multiple regression was applied and provided an adjusted R square of +.2150. This suggests the measurements incorporated into the statistical run only accounted for twenty-one percent of the total variance in estimated body weight. The surface anatomy of the talus relates more to an interplay between form and function than to weight-bearing.

The site of Zhoukoudian has been studied for over 70 years. During this time, a great deal of change has occurred in both analytical methodology and paradigmatic models concerning human prehistory. Zhoukoudian presents an opportunity to study both issues of early hominid behavior and the evolution of palaeoanthropological, geological, dating methodology and palaeoenvironmental research over the last eight decades. Zhoukoudian was the first site to exhibit verifiable evidence for the presence of early hominids in East Asia (more than 45 individuals). The site has been established as containing Middle and Upper Pleistocene components. The majority of these (e.g., Locality 1) fall within a Middle Pleistocene context, while the Upper Cave represents an Upper Pleistocene occupation of the site. Modem studies are suggested in light of the recent reworking of some fundamental concepts at Zhoukoudian. These include evidence for hunting vs. scavenging, fire usage and duration of occupation of the site by early hominids, all of which need reevaluation.

<p> This dissertation examines the competitive and cooperative strategies of male mantled howlers (<i>Alouatta palliata</i>) living within a fragmented habitat at La Pacifica (LP), Costa Rica. Mantled howlers exhibit considerable intraspecific variation in their social behavior, and there remains much to learn regarding the nature of their sociality and the proximate mechanisms that underlie it, particularly among males living in multimale groups. In contrast to males at other mantled howler study sites, males at LP had higher rates of within-group agonism, and exhibited clear dominance hierarchies. Both groups inhabited a fragmented forest, which may exert greater pressure to compete for both food and reproductive resources than mantled howler males living in more intact forests. However, data from this dissertation also suggest that males may adjust competitive relationships as forest fragment characteristics within the same population vary. The group inhabiting the larger forest fragment experienced higher intergroup competition but lower intragroup competition than the group inhabiting the smaller fragment, allowing higher-ranking males to be more tolerant of subordinates accessing key resources, including females, in order to cooperate in group defense. Despite clear hierarchies, males at LP nevertheless form both preferred and avoided associations with specific males, which suggest that cooperative relationships among males have adaptive value. Neither rank nor age emerged as clear drivers shaping competitive and cooperative relationships. Collectively, these results suggest that male mantled howlers show considerable flexibility in their social relationships that are likely dependent on a complexity of ecological, social, and demographic factors.</p>

The goal of the present study is the description and analysis of the material found on the E. H. II site (Area A) situated near Lake Vouliagméni on the Perakhora peninsula. The study includes a description of the stratigraphy and architecture of the site and of the material (ceramics, lithics) found in the building. For the analysis of the material, statistics were widely used to give more precision to the descriptions. The objects were also compared to contemporaneous material. The conclusion consist of a functional analysis of each of the rooms of the building. / La présente étude a pour but de décrire et d’analyser le matériel retrouvé sur le site H. A. II (secteur A) situé près du lac Vouliagméni, dans la péninsule de Perakhora. L’ étude comprend une description de la stratigraphie et de l’architecture du site, ainsi que du matériel (céramique, lithique) contenu dans l’édifice. Au cours de l’analyse du matériel, on a fait un abondant usage des statistiques afin de donner plus de précision aux descriptions. Les objets ont aussi été mis en parallèle avec leurs contemporains. La conclusion consiste en une analyse fonctionnelle de chacune des pièces de l’édifice découvert.

Thesis--Gothenburg. / Cover title. Summary in Russian. Includes bibliographical references (p. 127-131).

Thesis--Gothenburg. / Cover title. Summary in Russian. Includes bibliographical references (p. 127-131).

The central issued explored by this research is whether forensic anthropology can be characterized as being fundamentally different from academically-oriented biological anthropology. My view--and thesis statement--is that they are not two fundamentally-differing pursuits. While I recognize that important differences do exist between these fields, I argue that the differences are not sufficient to draw a stark line between academically-oriented biological anthropology and its medico-legal application. The principal source of data marshaled in support of this view is my dozen-plus years experience as a student. then practitioner, of forensic anthropology. One hundred forensic anthropology case reports of mine are utilized to illustrate an example of the product that forensic anthropologists routinely supply to medico-legal and governmental agencies. However, more important than this product are the processes behind the issuance of such reports. I argue that while the product may be different--a necessity because the intended audience certainly is--the conscientious forensic anthropologist employs the same analytical processes as when engaged in academic pursuits. Thus, it is my position that forensic anthropologists remain biological anthropologists while performing medico-legal services.

Pain is the most frequent cause impairment and disability in the United States. It is estimated that over 97 million Americans are experiencing chronic pain, at a cost of somewhere between 50 and 100 billion dollars a year. The general purpose of this dissertation through qualitative and quantitative methods is to describe and analyze the hegemonic nature of physical therapy practice as an agent of western biomedicine in the treatment of working women with chronic pain using a Critical Medical Anthropological (CMA) lens. Chronic pain will be described, as the data will show, as a complex interaction of biological and socio-cultural factors. The examination and analysis of chronic pain through a CMA lens will provide an analysis and critique, not only western culture but also of Western/Biomedicine serving as a corrective to the biologically reductionist diagnostic and treatment approach that is characteristic of Western/Biomedicine and its agent, physical therapy. It can identify structures and power relations that create pain and foster the progression of acute pain to chronic pain. It can also expand treatment options, opportunities, and choices for patients, as well as allowing rehabilitation (physical therapy) to be more patient empowering (transformative rehabilitation), while examining the larger social/cultural causes and contributors to chronic pain. Lastly, this lens, through the analysis of chronic pain, can help to analyze and deconstruct professional medical hegemony that is characteristic of Western/Biomedicine and physical therapy.